CHICAGO — The Republican National Committee is voting to formalize its selection of Cleveland, Ohio, as the site of the party's 2016 national convention, as the GOP's governing body winds up its summer meeting this week.

Eight cities sought the distinction, including Cincinnati and Columbus, which are also in the reliably competitive presidential battleground state of Ohio.

Also under consideration were Dallas; Denver; Kansas City, Missouri; Las Vegas and Phoenix. Cleveland and Dallas were the two finalists.

Site selection committee chairwoman Enid Mickelsen of Utah says, quote, "The place that was the most excited for us to come was Cleveland, Ohio. This is a city that wants to reintroduce itself to the rest of the world."